Convertible single or double rotary feeder



Dec. 25, 1928.

L. K. ALDRICH CONVERTIBLE4 SINGLE OR DOUBLE ROTARY FEEDER I 6Shows-'Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 14. 1927 w, wmf/fa@ L.. K. ALDRlcH CONVERTIBLESINGLE OR DOUBLE ROTARY FEEDER Der. 25,1928. 1,696,705

Filed ot.14.192v Q 6 sheets-sheet 2 gmx/nio@ MM/Mam,

L. K. ALDRICH CONVERTIBLE SINGLE on DOUBLE 'ROTARY FEEDER Filed Oct..14. 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 25, 1928. 1,696,705

O SW1/sto@ Ji/imma, l

attain,

Dec. 25, 1928.

Filed Oct. 14. 1927 S'SheetS-Shet '4 aucun Dec; 25, 1928. 1,696,705

l.. K. ALDRlcH conm'rlm: SINGLE 0R DOUBLE ROTARYTFEEDER .Filedot.14..1927 e-'lshegw-sheet 5 Dec. 25, 1928.

' L. K. ALDRlcH puvz'l'xfx'Bx-.ESINGLE on DOUBLE ROTARY ilznER -'6Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed oct. 14, ,1927

abkwwu,

S14/vanto@ v. i WA Y wlmwwwi N w m n/ m Z m m a Huma/p,

Patented Dec. 25,1928.

UNITED STATES LESTER KYLE ALDRICH, OF SIDNEY, OHIO.

CONVERTIBLE SINGLE OR DOUBLE ROTARY FEEDER.

Application filed October 14, 1927. Serial No. 226,222.

The invention relates to a convertible single or double rotary feederand is an improvement on the convertible oscillating rotary feederforming the subject matter of patents numbered 1,664,960 and 1,664,961granted to me April 3, 1928, which contain claims covering the variousfeatures of the machine disclosed but not claimed in the presentapplication.

TheV object of the present invention is to improve the construction 0fthe rotary feeding means disclosed in t-he aforesaid applications and toprovide a simple, practical and comparatively inexpensive constructionadapted to double the production of the rotary feeder when runningsmaller sheets by enabling two Asheets to be fed during each completerevolution of the suction nozzle.

A further object of the invention is to y provide simple, practical andeiicient-means for enabling the machine to be readily arranged foreither vfeeding a single sheet during each complete revolution ofthesuction nozzle or two sheets during each revolution of the said nozzle.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction and nevel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafterfully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointedout in the claims Ahereto appended, it being understood that variouschanges in the form, proportion and minor details of construction,within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departingfrom the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings y Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rotary feederconstructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the opposite side of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail longitudinal sectional view of the upperportion ofthe machine, the single cam being arranged for operating themachine to feed a single sheet revolution of the same.

Fig. 6 is 4an enlargedplan view of a portion of the machine, the doublecam being in y operative position.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view ofthe same illustrating thearrangement of the L-shaped air ports and the T-shaped air ports.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the closure plate for covering the lateralvent orifices of the T-shaped air ports. A

Fig. 12 is a detail view of one of the winding arms. i

In the accompanying drawings in which -is illustrated thepreferredembodimentl of the invention the convertible rotary feeder comprises inits construction a double pull off nozzle 1 consisting of a continuouslyrotated disk suitably fixed to a rotary shaft 2 journaled in suitablebearings and the sides of the frame 3 of the machine and provided at oneportion of its periphery with an arcuate series of suction mouths 4t andatthe diametrically opposite portion of its periphery. with an arcuateseries of suction mouths 4a for successively operating on the uppermostsheet 5 of a stack to pull the sheet off the stack and carry the same toa pull off roll 6 and rubber covered spools 7 arranged above the pulloff roll 6 andV cooperating with the same to complete the feedingoperation and carry the sheet into the machine with which theautomaticfeeder is associated. The lsuction mouths 4 and 41a are arranged in twosets or series which are adapted to be successively operated during eachrevolution of the double suction nozzle when running smaller sheets andthe suction mouths L1a as hereinafter fully explained areV adapted to berendered inoperative tovpermit only the operation of thcsuction mouthset to feed a singlesheet from the stack during each revolution of thedouble suction nozzle when running on large sheets.l The suction mouths1 are arranged at regular intervals and are connected by passagesY orducts 8 and with lateral ports 9 which are adapted f to be broughtsuccessively into register with an outlet or aperture` of an air passage10 of an air arm 11. The air ports are termed by the suction mouths, thepassages or ducts 8 and the lateral ports 9 are approximately L-shaped.

The suction mouths ,tirare arranged at regular intervals and areconnected by passages or ducts 8a with lateral ports 9qu which areadapted to be brought successively into register with the outlet oraperture of the air passage 10 of the air arm 1l. The suction mouths enare also provided at the in ner ends of the passages or ducts 8 withlateral outlets of vents 9b which are covered by a closure plate 9s whenthe suction mouths et are operated and the suction nozzle is actiupI asa double suction nozzle for feeding two sheets 'during each revolutionof the nozzle. The closure plate 9 is pivotally and detachably securedto the suction nozzle by a screw 9 threaded into the suction nozzle andadapted to either pivotally or de* tachably secure the closure plate 9Cin position for coveringY and closing' the lateral vents or outlets il".The closure plate 9' is zulapted to be firmly secured in position forclosing the vents or outlets 9 and it is also adapted to be removed forexposing,l the vents or outlets 9b to the atmosphere to prevent. theoperation of the suction mouths 4a. Then the closure plate 9C is inposition it tirmly held therein by the clamping` screw 9d vand it willpermit the opening and closing of the vents or outlets 9b withoutremoving the closure plate form the suction nozzle. if desired, theclosure plate may be entriely removed from the suction nozzle and anynumber ot' fastening devices may, of course, be employed for securingthe closure plate in its closed position. lihen the closure plate is .inits closed position the pull ott' nozzle is adapted for feeding; twosheets during` each revolution and when the closure plate is removed toexpose the vents or outlets 9 the suction nozzle is adapted for feedinga single sheet during` each complete revolution of the said nozzle.

The pull oill nozzle is also provided with a curv d slot 12 arrangedconcentric or in circular alignment with a series oit ports 9 and with acurved slot 12'LL arranged concentric or in circular alignment with thearcu ate series ofports 9 and the. said slots 12 and 12"1v are adaptedto be brought successively into register with the outlet ot' the airpassage 1 0 for destroying the vacuum during portions of the revolutionot the pull ott nozzle. 12 is spaced from the arcuate `series ot ports 9and one end ot the curved slot 12"L is spaced from the arcuate series ofports 9 to pro` vide intervening imperforate surfaces 13' and 13j whichare adapted to close or cover the outlet of the passage 10 during` aportion o each revolution of the pull oil' nozzle out the suction fromthe nozzle and One end olf the curved slot throw the tull suction on oneor more winding arms 14e which tirst engage the uppermost sheet 5 of thestack and then leave the same and move the coge oi the sheet backwardlyas illustrated in dotted lines in Fie. 4 ot the drawings to produce anundulation in the sheet for winding the same similar to the winding o'l'a sheet by hand to separate the sheet from the rest of the stack as einplained in the. aforesaid applications. The winding' arms 14 aresuitably mounted on a transverse pivot shait 15 journaled in suitablebearings in the sides of the frame 3 of the machine and carrying a camactuated lever l5 and a valve operating arm 17. rEhe winding arm isapproximately L-shaped and is secured at one end to the shaft 15 and isprovided with a hollow tubular portion 18. The hollow tubular portion 18forms a passage for the air downwardly and provides at its lower end asuction mouth which adapted to engage lthe uppermost sheet oit the sameat the forward edge thereot` to lift and wind the same as beforeexplained. The winding arm is interiorly threaded at the upper end ofthe passage 19 for the reception of a threaded nipple 2O which forms ahose connection.

rilhe cam actuated lever 1G which is located at one side of the machineadjacent to the traine is provided at its outer or cam engaging end witha roll 22 which is mounted on a suitable journal 23 consisting oi abolthavingl a smooth portion to receive the roll and threaded portion toengage a. threaded opening; 1G in the cam actuated lever 16. The boltwhich forms the journal 23 isprovided with a loclr nut 23 and isremovable and reversible to enable the roll 22 to be arranged at eitherside of the cam actuated lever arm 16 to cooperate with either a singlecam 24 or a double cam 24a. The cam actuated lever arm 16 is locatedopposite the space between the cams 24e and 24 and by reversing the roll22 and changing the same from the outer side of the lever arm 16 to theinner side of the same the roll is carried from operative position withrelation to the single cam 2e to its operative position with relation tothe double cam 2st. l.When the machine is arranged for 'feeding a singlesheet during;` each revolution. et the nozzle the roll 22 rests upon thecani 24 at the center of the top as clearly illustrated in Fig. t of thedrawingyr and as the winding` arms 14 and the arms 16 and Il? arerigidly secured to the pivot shaft l5 by screws or other suitablefastening; devices there sutiicient weight to cause the roll to prnrnily against the cam whereby the cam actuated llever arm will more inaccordance with the The cam 2st is provided with a cutout portion 25forming a cam face for actuating the arm 'i6 for lowering and raisingthe winding arms to carry most sheet thereof and wind the same.

the same to the stackk and yto lift the upper'- The remaining portion ofthe peripheral surface of the cam 24 is circular and maintains thewinding arm in an elevated position while the pull off nozzle isoperated to pull ott the sheet and carry the same to the pull off rolland rubber covered rolls. The double cam 24a is provided with two cutoutportions or recesses a located at diametrically opposite portions of thedouble cam 24 and adapted to produce two operations of the cam actuatedarm 16 for raising and lowering the winding arms and for operating thevalve operating arms 17 twice during each revolution of the suctionnozzle. The portions of the peripheral surface of the double caniiscircular between the recesses 25 to 1 aintain the winding arms in anelevated position while the pull ott' nozzle is operated to pull off asheet and carry the same to the pull off roll and the rubber coveredspools.

The arm 17 which operates the air valve is located exteriorly of theframe of the machine at the opposite side of that at which the camactuated lever arm 16 is arranged and is approximately L-shaped andextends dou nwardly from the pivot shaft 15 and longitudinally of theside of the machine to .ber 27.

a point adjacent an air valve 26 provided with a cutoff piston ormovable valve mein- The air valve consists of a body provided wit-h amain longitudinal passage 28 and a smaller' longitudinal passage 29.V

The valve is preferably arranged in a vertical position as shown and thepassages 28 and 29 are vertical. The lower end of the verticallongitudinal passage 28 is connected with a main suction hose by anipple or hose connection 31 which is threaded into the lower end of thepassage 28 and a suitable hose connection or nipple 82 is threaded intothe upper end of the main longitudinal passage 28 for the attachment ofa hose 33 which is connected with the suction nozzle 1 through thepassage of the air arm 11. The smaller longitudinal passage 29 hasthreaded into its upper end a nipple or hose connection 34 whichreceives a hose 35 extending to one of the winding arms. The heeel-36extends to the other winding arm and is connected by an L-shaped nippleor hose connector 37 which is threaded at one cndinto a transversepassage or bore 38 extending into the body of the afi-r valve from oneface thereof and intersecting the longitudinal passages 28 and 29. Thetransverse air passage 38 communicates with the longitudinal passage 29and also with the main longitudinal passage 28. vWhen the suction is onthe winding arms through the transverse passage 38 the suction is cutoff from the pull off nozzle by the imperforate surface` between thearcuate series of ports 9 and the curved slot 12 so that the entiresuction will be on the winding arms. The operation is the same wheneither' the single cam or the double cam is used with kthe exceptionthat there are two operations of the air valve during each revolution ofthe suction nozzle when the double lcam is in use. The suction asexplained in the aforesaid applications may be made either heavy orlight to suit the character of the stock being fed by the machine and isregulated by means of pepper box dials 89 and 40 each having a pluralityof apertures 41 of different sizes adapted yto be brought into registerrespectively with transverse vent passages 42 and 43 extending from theexterior of the longitudinal passages 28 and 29. Each pepper box dial ismounted on a pivot 44 which passes through the central opening 45 in theperforated disk which has disposed on it a coiled spring 46 for pressingthe disk against the body of the air valve. The body of the air valve isprovided at the vents 42 and 43 with vsmooth flat circular faces 47 and48 to cooperate with the pepper box dials.

The cut off piston or movable valve mem* ber 27 which is cylindrical ismounted in the lower portion of the bore or passage 29 and is movablefrom the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 8 of the drawings tothe dotted line 49 in said figure to close the passages leading to thewinding arms for cutting off the vacuum from the winding arms to throwthe full force of the vacuum into the hose extending from the mainlongitudinal passage of the air valve to the pullv ott nozzle. The cutoff passage is reciprocated in the valve chamber passage 29 of the airvalve by the arm 17.

` The air arm is provided with a smooth flat bearing surface to fitagainstfthe pull .off nozzle and. this surface is formed by a woodbushing. 50 as explained in the said applications. The bushing 50 ismounted on a metal sleeve 51 carrying a nipple or hose connection 52 towhich is connected the hose 33 extending from the nipple 32 of the airvalve to the air arm. The sleeve 51 is provided with a stem 53 and.coiled spring l sisting of a port or opening 68 and a pivoted handoperated lev lr 69 pivoted intermediate of its ends on a pin or screw 70 andinain* tained in proper frictional contact with the valve body by acoiled spring 71. The valve lever 69 is adapted to be operated by handfor destroying,a and restoring the vacuum so that the feeding of themachine may he stopped and started .as required. The main suction hose30 is connected with a rotary vacuum pump 72.

The stack of sheets is arranged upon a vertically movable table 79constructed substantially the same as that shown in Patent No. 1,546,184granted to me July lei, 1925 with the exception that the mechanism forelevating the table automatically is operated by an elevating` lever 8Ofulcrumed intermediate of its ene` s at S1 and pivotally connected atone end with a vertically movable bar 82 of the ratchet mechanism and atits upper end with a link or connecting rod 89' with a wrist pin 9() ola pulley 88 mounted on a Y shaft 2. The rotary suction tan 72 is drivenby an electric motor 83 winch isV connected with a rotary suction pumphy a belt 8d and pulleys 85 and 8G but any other suitableV means may ofcourse be employed tor transmitting` motion from the electric motor tothe rot-ary suction lan which explained in the aforesaid patentdischarges into a tank 87 for supplyine` the compressed air to bedischarged upon the stack as fully explained in said patent.

Referring` to Fig. 4; of the drawings which shows the Winding arms downready to pick up the sheet, when the cam is in this position the arm 1'?has caused the cut ono piston to descend and the vacuum is on theWinding' arms owing to the fact that the rotary suction disk or nozzlehas rotated beyond the end of the curved slot 12 and thel importorate ordead surface 13 closes the outlet or port of the Wood bushing. As theWindingarms lift the sheet and Wind it the cut oila valve closescutting' oil2 the suction 'from the Winding arm and transmitting` it tothe rotary suction nozzle, as the iirst port has rotated into registerWith the port or outlet ot' the Wood bushing and the sheet is noivpulled off the pile by the rotary movement of the suction disk or nozzleand asuccessive engagement of the suction mouths with the sheets. As thesuction disk or nozzle continues to rotate the cruved slot comes int-oregister vwith the port or opening in the Wood bushing, therebydestroying the vacuum on the air valve and the suction nozzle Y and theWinding arms. This.operation tal as place once when the single cam ai. ud for actuating the arms 1G and when c double cam .is arranged toroprating the cam actilated arm 'l suction nozzle or dis-l con' er" itsrotary nient and the rotation olf the cam lovvr Winding arms and whenthey are their lowest point the curved slot i,

ing ant the vacuum is resored ready to pitv .I up the nent sheet. al/henthevoouhle cam is 1n use the foregoing operations occur twice duringcach complete revolution ot the rotary suction nozzle and When thesingle cam is in use the closure plate is arranged to uncover the ventports of the suction mouths da to provide only one effectiveV set orseries ot suction mouths.

lWhat is claimed is l. A rotary feeder including a continuously rotatingpull oil suction nozzle pro vided at its periphery with two arcuate setsot suction mouths having air ports, one set of suction mouths beingprovided With vent outlets, means tor covering and uncovering theoutlets for feeding either one or tvv sheets during cach revolution otthe nozzle, and suction means with which th ir aorts are adapted tosuccessively register.

2. i rotary feeder including a continu ously rotatingpull oli suctionnozzle provided at its periphery with tvvo arcuate sets oit suctionmouths havinglateral air ports located at one side ot the nozzle, oneset ot suction mouths beingv also provided with vent outlets located atthe other side of the nozzle, means 'for covering and uncovering` 'thevent outlets for 'feeding either one or two sheets dui ug eachrevolution of the nozzle, and suction means with which the air ports areadapted to successively register.

3. A rotary feeder includinga continuously rotatingpull off suctionnozzle provided at its periphery with two arcuate sets of suction mouthshaving air ports, one set ot suction mouths being provided with ventoutlets, a closure plate covering the vent outlets and movable therefromto render one set ot suction mouths inoperative, and suction means withwhich the air ports are adapted to successively register.

el. A rotary feeder including a continu ously rotating pull oli' suctionnozzle provided at its periphery with two arcuate sets of suction mouthshaving lateral air ports located at one side of the nozzle, one set o'lsuction mouths being also provided With vent outlets located at theother side oit' the nozzle, a closure plate covering' the vent outlet-sand movable therefrom to render one ot' suotion mouths inoperative, andsuction means with which the air ports are adapted to suc cessivelyregister- I [i rotary 'feeder including' a cont-init ously rotatingpullolii' suction nozzle provided at its periphery with two :neunte oi?suction lmouths having air o sa one set oit suction mouthsbcingr'provioed with vent means for coveii `ud uncovcriini die :liorioeclinn'V e her o or tvfii sheets during each revolution of e nozzleaAdiction means with which the air ports are adapted to ,ively regist'oscillating means for picyla up a sheet trom a stack and delivering i tothe pull oit" nozzle,

cams rotating with the -tion means with which the air ports are adaptedto successively register, oscillating means for picking up a sheet froma stack and delivering it to the pull olf nozzle, single and double camsrotating with "the pull off nozzle, and cam actuated means connectedwith the said oscillating means and adapted to be engaged with either of'the cams for operation by the same.

7. A rotary feeder including a continuously rotating pull off suctionnozzle provided at its periphery with two arcuate sets of suction mouthshaving air ports, one set of suction mouths being provided with ventoutlets, a closure plate covering the vent outlets and movable therefromto render one set of suction mouths inoperative, suction means withwhich the air ports are adapted to successively register, oscillatingmeans for picking up a sheet from a stack and delivering it to the pulloil' nozzle, single and double cams rotating with the pull off nozzle,and cam actuated means connected with the said oscillating means andadapted to be engaged with either of the cams for operation by the same.

8. A rotary feeder including a continuously rotating pull off suctionnozzle provided at its periphery with two arcuate sets of suction mouthshaving lateral air ports located at one side of the nozzle, one set ofsuction mouths being also provided with vent outlets located at theother side of the nozzle, a closure plate covering the vent outlets andmovable therefrom to render one set of suction mouths inoperative,suction means with which the air ports are adapted to successivelyregister, oscillating means for picking up a sheet from a stack anddelivering it to the pull of'f nozzle, single and double cams rotatingwith the pull oil nozzle, and cam actuated means connected with the saidoscillating means and adapted to be engaged with either of the cams foroperation by the same.

9. A rotary feeder including a continuously rotating suction nozzleprovided at its periphery with two arcuate sets of suction mouths havingair ports, one set of suction mouths being provided with vent outlets,means for covering and uncovering the vent outlets for feeding eitherone or two sheets during each revolution of the nozzle, suction meanswith which the air ports are adapted to successively register,oscillating means for picking' up a sheet from a stack and delivering itto the pull off nozzle, single and double cams rotating with the pullolf nozzle, and an oscillating arm connected With the said oscillatingmeans and adapted to be engaged with either of the cams for operationthereby.

l0. A rotary feeder including a continuously rotating suction nozzleprovided at its periphery with two arcuate sets of suction mouths havingair ports, one set of suction mouths being provided with vent outlets,means for covering and uncovering the vent outlets for feeding eitherone or two sheets during each revolution of the nozzle, suction meanswith which the air ports are adapted to successively register,oscillating means for picking up a sheet from a stack and delivering itto the pull off nozzle,

single and double cams spaced apart and rotating with the pull offnozzle, and a cam actuated arm connected with the oscillating means andlocated at the space between the cams and ha ving reversible meansadapted to be arranged to be engaged by either of the single or doublecams.

ll. A rotary feeder including a continuously rotating suction nozzleprovided at its periphery with two arcuate sets of suction mouths havingair ports, one set of suction mouths being provided with vent outlets,means for covering and uncovering the ventoutlets for feeding either oneor two 'sheets during each revolution of the nazzle,

suction means with which the air ports are adapted to successivelyregister, oscillating means for picking up a sheet from a stack anddelivering it to t-he pull ofi" nozzle, single and double camsspacedtapart and rotating with the pull oil' nozzle, a cam actuated armconnected with the oscillating means and located at the space betweenthe said cams and provided with a reversible lateral projecting rolladapted to be arranged at either side of the arm for engaging witheither of the cams.

12. A rotary feeder including a continuously rotating shaft, a pull olfsuction nozzle mounted on and rotating with the shaft and provided atits periphery with two arcuate sets of suction mouths having air ports,one set of suction mouths being also provided with vent outlets, meansfor covering and uncovering the vent outlets, single and double camsspaced apart and mounted upon the said shaft and rotating with the pullolf nozzle, oscillating means for picking up a sheet from a stack anddelivering it to the pull off nozzle, and an oscillating arm connectedwith the oscillating means and located at the space between the saidcams and provided with a reversible laterally projecting roll adapted tobe arranged to engage with either of the said cams.

13. A rotary feeder includinga continuously rotating shaft, a pull offsuction noz zle mounted on the shaft and rotating therewith and providedat its periphery With two arcuate sets of suction mout-hs having airports, one set of suction mouths being` also provided with ventloutlets, means for cov- @ring` the vent outlets, a double cam mounted onthe said shaft and rotating with the suction nozzle, oscillating meansfor picking,` up a sheet `troni a stack and delivering` it to the pullott nozzle, and means operated by the double cam for actuating` the saidoscillating means.

14. A rotary feeder including a continuously rotating shaft, a pull otlfsuction nozzle mounted on the sha-tt and rotating therewith and providedat its periphery with two ar cuate sets ot suction mouths having airports, one set of suction mouths being also provided with vent outlets,means for covering the Vent outlets, a double cam mounted on the saidshatt and rotating with the suction nozzle, oscillating` inea-ns forpicking up a sheet from a stack and delivering it to the pull offnozzle, an of.-;ci'llating` arm connected with the said oscillatingmeans and operated by the said double cam.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature.

LESTER KYLE ALDRICH.

